Connaught Place, commonly abbreviated as CP, is central Delhi’s premier commercial and social hub, built in the 1930s under British architect Robert Tor Russell as a planned circular market of colonnaded Georgian-style arcades. Its concentric rings—inner, middle, and outer circles—are divided into lettered blocks from A to N, radiating outward from the open green of Central Park. The area remains one of the most recognisable urban spaces in India.
What is Connaught Place known for?
Connaught Place is known for its uniform double-storey white colonnaded buildings arranged in three concentric circles, housing a dense mix of flagship retail stores, banks, restaurants, and airline offices that have anchored Delhi’s commercial life since the colonial era. The Rajiv Chowk underground metro station sits directly beneath Central Park, making CP one of the busiest transit interchanges in the country. The large national flag installed at Central Park is a prominent visual landmark visible from across the district.
Best things to do in Connaught Place
Walking the covered colonnade of the inner circle, exploring the underground Palika Bazaar for budget goods, and visiting the Hanuman Mandir on Baba Kharak Singh Marg are among the most popular activities at CP. The State Emporiums row along Baba Kharak Singh Marg displays handicrafts, textiles, and regional products from nearly every Indian state under one stretch of buildings, making it an efficient introduction to India’s artisan diversity.
- Browse handloom textiles and regional crafts at the State Emporiums on Baba Kharak Singh Marg
- Walk the inner circle colonnade past heritage facades and modern brand flagships
- Visit the ancient Hanuman Mandir, especially busy on Tuesdays and Saturdays
- Descend into Palika Bazaar, the underground air-conditioned market for bargain electronics and clothing
- Sit at Central Park and view the 207-foot national flag installation
Where to eat in Connaught Place
Connaught Place concentrates a wide range of dining options from historic institutions to modern restaurants, with Wenger’s Deli on A-Block being one of Delhi’s oldest bakeries, and Kake Da Hotel on the inner circle remaining a long-standing address for North Indian dishes like butter chicken and dal makhani. United Coffee House on E-Block is a heritage café with a formal colonial interior that has operated since 1942, serving Continental and Indian dishes.
- Wenger’s Deli, A-Block inner circle, for baked goods and sandwiches since 1926
- United Coffee House, E-Block, for sit-down Continental and Indian meals in a heritage interior
- Kake Da Hotel for North Indian tandoor and curry staples at moderate prices
- Numerous South Indian tiffin counters and chaat stalls in the outer circle blocks
How to get to Connaught Place
Rajiv Chowk metro station on both the Yellow Line (Line 2) and the Blue Line (Line 3) provides the most direct and convenient access to Connaught Place, with exits surfacing directly into the inner and middle circles. The station is one of the busiest interchange stations in the Delhi Metro network. Auto-rickshaws, taxis, and app-based cabs can drop at any of the outer circle gates.
- Rajiv Chowk station: Yellow Line (Samaypur Badli–HUDA City Centre) and Blue Line (Dwarka–Noida/Vaishali)
- Patel Chowk station on the Yellow Line provides an alternate southern approach
- Bus terminus at Scindia House and connections from New Delhi Railway Station, 1.5 km north
Where to walk in Connaught Place
The most rewarding walking route at CP follows the shaded inner circle colonnade all the way around, then cuts through Janpath—the street running south from the middle circle—where the Janpath Market offers street stalls selling Tibetan jewellery, bags, and casual clothing. Continuing south along Janpath leads within walking distance of Rajpath (Kartavya Path) and India Gate.
Best time to visit Connaught Place
October through March is the most comfortable period to visit Connaught Place, when Delhi’s weather stays cool and dry, allowing extended walks under the colonnades and in Central Park without the heat of summer or monsoon rains. Weekday mornings before 11 a.m. see lighter foot traffic; weekend evenings draw the largest crowds to restaurants and the park area.
